Publishing Information: Kindle; 464 pgs
Publisher: Spectra; 5 Nov 2002
ASIN: B000FBFMG6
Series: The Farseer Trilogy #1
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson
Synopsis: "Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father's gruff stableman. He is treated like an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him sectetly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz's blood runs the magic Skill--and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family. As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom."
According to Amazon I purchased this book way back in April of 2009 and I am just finally getting around to reading it. There is a lot of hype surrounding this book and the series as well as the additional trilogies featuring FitzChivalry so I am not sure why it took me so long to finally read the opening book to Robin Hobb's world.
The novel opens with FitzChivalry, or Fitz, being left on the doorstep of his father's keep and placed into the care of Burrich, the Prince's man in charge of his animals. No one really knows what do do with the young boy as his father isn't there and while his appearance confirms he is the son of Chivalry and must be treated well since royal blood runs in his veins, his position as a bastard makes his future murky. As he travels to meet the king, he learns he is to train as an assassin to further the goals of the king and the kingdom.
Fitz is a little slow on the uptake as he is never quite told what his final goal is as he goes from tutor to tutor learning how to care for animals, engage in combat, the art of assassination, and eventually how to use "The Wit" or magic. Fitz demonstrated early the ability to telepathically enter the minds of animals and through those bonds control the animal and draw strength from them. While Fitz does seem a little behind the curve in the beginning, he does show an aptitude for the art of assassination and also a mind for tactics both in combat and politics. A gift that will help him along the way. Fitz's status as a bastard also causes friction with his family as they see him as possible upsurper to the throne and the status quo. One uncle despises him and the other is enduring to him.
The world that Hobb has created is interesting, we know there are other factions besides his kingdom but overall the world is at peace, except for a viking like clan that seems to not just terrorize the villages of Fitz's kingdom but transform them into a single-minded creature that looks out for themselves and does their best to take what their heart desires at that moment. Not quite a zombie as they can think but along those lines.
While magic does play a major role in the story, it isn't the end all be all. The Wit takes many shapes but what makes it truly useful is the ability to mobilize armies with a though making it a very powerful tool on the battlefield. Hobb also gives us very brief glimpses of magic's potential but never really lets us see what it is truly capable of.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and will definitely return. If you haven't picked up Assassin's Apprentice I highly recommend you do. It is well-written with some truly unforgettable characters.
Overall 8/10
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